CHICO — Two cases of measles have been reported in Chico, according to local public health officials. The cases are now considered part of a “cluster” outbreak in Butte, Tehama and Shasta counties within the past week, and officials believe they are all connected.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms begin with a cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash that starts on the face or behind the ears and spreads to the rest of the body.

Lisa Almaguer, with the Butte County Public Health Department, said there were two confirmed cases of measles in adults in Butte County.

A child who has measles is shown with a rash all over their body. Measles can be prevented with a vaccine, but there is no cure once someone is infected. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Contributed)

“Both of these individuals are past their infectious period and can no longer spread illness to others,” she said.

In Butte County, health officials want to hear from anyone who may have visited the Esplanade House at 181 E. Shasta Ave. from March 15 to March 19. Concerned parties in Butte County should call 353-5564.

An investigation by the Tehama County Health Services Agency is also underway, after one of the people with a confirmed case of measles made multiple stops last week in Red Bluff before being isolated due to the disease.

According to a press release issued Sunday by the agency, investigators are aiming to get in touch with anyone who may have been in contact with the Shasta County resident during their time in Red Bluff from March 16 to March 18.

In Tehama County, the individual went to Walmart on Luther Road between 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 16, and Raley’s Supermarket between 6-7 p.m. Monday, March 18, the release said.

The Health Services Agency is working on contacting employees from the businesses who may have come in contact with the infected individual. The case is related to cases in Butte County and is considered part of a cluster, the release said.

“The patient is currently in isolation from others to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease until their infectious period is over,” the release said.

The person made several contacts in Shasta County between March 16 and 19, including Taco Bell on Old Alturas Road, Raley’s Supermarket on Lake Boulevard, Shasta College 800 Building and the Shasta College Library in Redding.

Those who may have been in contact with the individual are asked to call 527-6824 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

“If you were at these locations you are being asked to check whether you have received two doses of the measles vaccine, which is usually given in the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine,” the release said. “If not, you could be at risk of measles, and should be alert to typical symptoms, which include fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and then a rash that starts at the head and spreads downwards.”

Those experiencing these symptoms are asked to call a physician rather than go to a public hospital or clinic due to risk of spreading the disease. The contagious period begins about four days before the rash starts.

“The complications of measles can be dangerous,” the release said. “Six to 10 percent of the people who get the disease will get an ear infection, diarrhea or even pneumonia. One out of 1,000 people with measles will develop inflammation of the brain, and about two out of 1,000 will die. People with compromised immune systems, women who are pregnant and infants are at a greater risk of serious complications.”

Almaguer said officials will continue to investigate the outbreak and will issue updates as needed. Any questions about personal vaccination records should be directed to your primary care physician, and not to the public health department.

Robin Epley covers general assignments and the city of Oroville for the Chico Enterprise-Record. She is a Sacramento native and an alumna of Chico State University, who previously reported for publications in California and on the east coast.